FAQ – Everything You Want To Know About Oligospermia But You Were Too Embarrassed To Ask

Low sperm count is one of the most common causes of infertility in men but the issue appears to still be somewhat controversial. If you suffer from oligospermia or you suspect that you may have a low sperm count, chances are that you need to have a number of questions answered.

The following FAQ will acquaint you with a few of the most important inquiries about the condition.

Did I Give Myself Oligospermia?

The only person who can answer this question is your urologist. In some instances, oligospermia is caused by medical conditions like varicocele, undescended testicles, a hormonal imbalance or a pituitary problem(more about common causes you can find here). If this is the case, you’re not to blame for the condition.

A number of lifestyle factors, however, could be contributing to a low sperm count. Some of these include:

Being obese or overweight

Consuming a diet that consists of processed foods rather than fresh produce

Tobacco smoking

The excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages

Using opioid drugs

Taking anabolic steroids

Excessive stress, particularly in men who are workaholics

Choosing underwear like briefs made of a synthetic fabric that has a heating effect on the testicles

While you could have contributed to the problem with your lifestyle, it’s good to know that the problem is reversible. As long as you give up on a bad habit, you’ll see improvement in your sperm count in a couple of months.

Can I Get A Partner Pregnant With Oligospermia?

Many men who suffer from oligospermia will not even know that they have the problem. As urologists say, it only takes one sperm cell to get the job done. If your ejaculate contains viable, healthy sperm cells, you can still get a partner pregnant.

Oligospermia can be present in several degrees. A mild condition doesn’t really interfere with a man’s ability of getting a partner pregnant. Severe oligospermia, on the other hand, will have to be treated. If no improvement is noticed, opting for assisted reproductive techniques like ICSI can get the job done.

What’s A Healthy Sperm Count?

A sperm count is a lab exam used to determine whether a man suffers from a condition like oligospermia. The normal readings include a sperm concentration of at least 20 million per milliliter and a sperm count of at least 40 million per ejaculate.

Of these sperm cells, 50 percent should have a normal shape and be motile for a pregnancy to occur naturally.

Any number below 40 million sperm cells per ejaculation is considered oligospermia. If the sperm cells are abnormal and more than 50 percent of them exhibit poor motility/a weird shape, the condition is called oligoasthenozoospermia.

Is There A Treatment For Oligospermia?

It’s very important to identify the cause of the condition. When oligospermia is caused by varicoceles, for example, the varicose veins will have to either be shrunk or removed. Such an intervention can produce a massive improvement in sperm count.

Men who are suffering from abnormal hormone levels may have to go on a hormonal therapy for a certain period of time.

Very often, diet changes and the selection of a high quality supplement will be sufficient to deliver a sensible enough improvement.

Even if you have an idea about the best possible treatment, you should never attempt to resolve oligospermia on your own. Talk to your urologist and work together on eliminating the possible causes of the condition.

In some instances, oligospermia will be indicative of another problem (like diabetes, for example). This is why you have to see a physician prior to taking fertility in your own hands.

The final thing to remember is that spermatogenesis is a lengthy process. About three months will be required for the treatment to deliver results and for a new batch of sperm cells to be produced.

If you’re expecting an immediate cure, you’ll probably end up disappointed.